Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to
the Government of the Federation, SGF, has disclosed why the Federal Government
paid N40m to former presidents instead of buying them vehicles as prescribed by
the law.

Mustapha said the decision was
adopted to allow the former Presidents purchase vehicles of their choice.

Speaking at the 2018 budget
defence session before members of the Senate committee on Federal Character and
Inter-Governmental Affairs, on Thursday, Mustapha stressed that the former
presidents were entitled to vehicles of their choice.

According to the SGF, “They are
entitled to that by law. We took a decision that instead of buying these vehicles,
we should give them the money and let them buy vehicles of their choices.

“One of them qualified for it
this year and that was why the N40 million was paid. The remaining, hopefully
will qualify for it next year or thereabout.”

Report had it that the President
Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government approved the sum for the purchase of
vehicles by former Presidents and Heads of State.

Vehicles worth N120m were also
approved to be purchased for former Vice-Presidents.

Although vehicles for ex-presidents
were to be purchased directly by the government, it has decided to monetise
same.